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Post by Mustang on Sept 4, 2017 8:02:48 GMT 10
A startling pace for a resto, another Viscount survives. Keep us informed with tour travels under "Who's on the road"
Have you named your van?
Cheers
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Post by LGT on Sept 4, 2017 11:24:35 GMT 10
Good morning Mustang. Thank you for the comments. This is the first day since the beginning of the project that I have not worked on the Viscount. I just picked up all the curtain fittings and new switches for her and returned her to her parking area awaiting the last of the jobs. All my tools are back where they belong and the car smells less like a trdesmens work truck after a good clean. Yes we have named her "VINTAGE RAMBLER" and have ordered the gold graphics in a retro type face. The last of my boats I sold when we downsized was called "Black Rambler". I have always had a perchant for the depression days in America when so many families and thousands of single men "rambled" around the country following work. To the british rambling is hiking through the country but I like the other meaning and the great depression songs that describe it. I will be back when the curtains are fitted. Cheers LGT   |
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Post by pisces51 on Sept 4, 2017 20:23:33 GMT 10
Sooo...this van was picked up on 1st August 2017, and essentially the work is completed just 35 days later! I remember the Millard poptop I restored...I spent the first 35 days wondering what the heck I'd got myself in for!  Congratulations on an outstanding effort! I thought the gusty winds we had here in August were just the normal weather pattern for that month. Little did I realise they were caused by you rushing around and working on your van!!  I take my hat off to you for the result you've achieved - a beautiful job!  cheers, Al. |
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Post by LGT on Sept 5, 2017 6:47:32 GMT 10
Thanks Al,
I have always been accused of working too fast and not giving myself enough time to enjoy the job. That is not the case, I really have enjoyed this resto and looking forward to it being completely done with curtains.
Thank you for your nice comments.
Cheers,
Lynton.
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Post by Mustang on Sept 5, 2017 7:44:27 GMT 10
Along with Al's comments, I really like the originality.
Tell em you found it in a shed & it only needed a wash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by 78466noM on Sept 5, 2017 20:10:29 GMT 10
Just make sure you use double pole switches and power points.It is looking real good the carpet seems to help brighten the interior.
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Post by LGT on Sept 6, 2017 17:19:46 GMT 10
Thanks for your positive comments. The decals arrived today so almost there.
Cheers
LGT
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Post by LGT on Sept 7, 2017 16:40:37 GMT 10
After Auspost lost my two Viscount decals the Victorian supplier RV STICKERS express posted two more which arrived the next day. That is what I call great service. After many hours of phone calls the originals were found and delivered. I immediately sent them back to RV STICKERS with my thanks. I applied them this afternoon and the result is excellent. First three day trip planned to Brunswich Heads with friends who have a beautiful modern van but who also appreciate the resto of a classic Viscount. Still awaiting curtains due in a week or so but bought many of the essential cooking, eating and drinking utensils today.   |
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Post by Mustang on Sept 7, 2017 17:47:03 GMT 10
Very bold !!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by LGT on Sept 9, 2017 11:31:18 GMT 10
Gentlemem and ladies,
I expected the 12v lights in my van to come on via the 7 pin car connection. I now realise that the van 12v system was never meant to take power from the car.
This being the case how was/is 12v power connected to the caravan? do I have to install an in house battery in the van. I cannot see any previous wiring or plug anywhere on the van which would allow 12v to be supplied to the van.
can anyone give me some advice please ?
Cheers,
LGT
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Post by Rattles on Sept 9, 2017 13:29:56 GMT 10
These old Viscounts 60's-80's originally had 12/240v lamp fittings with white switches for 240v lamps and Brown for the 12v lamp which was a 18w lamp the same as an car indicator bnc base and used pin 2 (New standard "Reversing Lights") of the 7 pin plug to supply power for the 12v Lights via the brown (usually) switches. Later Vans with 12v house supply usually have changeover switches from Car/ House supply in various locations Front Boot, wall near Breakers etc, they also usually used Pin 2 of the 7 Pin Plug.  Light Fittings were similar to the Image above. Rattles |
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Post by LGT on Sept 9, 2017 15:05:05 GMT 10
Thanks for that Rattles. I have the same lights as you show. I bought one new one for the outside and refurbished the two inside. They work fine.
My van seems to have no 12 volt power intake facility at all. Could it be that it never was fitted and the owners used only AC facilities when touring.
My car seems not to be wired for anything but the basic trailer eg Tail lights, brake lights and indicators. I spent 2 hours this morning trying every combination I could and read all the threads on the subject. There is no sign of any previous house battery and there are no fuses or breakers to be found. ( AC or DC) Does that sound normal for 1978 Viscount. All the AC fittings work perfectly after I replaced three power ppoints.Cheers, Lynton. (LGT)
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Post by Rattles on Sept 9, 2017 16:25:52 GMT 10
If you Car is wired as per the current Standard then you most probably will have Reversing Lights connected to Pin 2 of the 7 Pin Socket.
If your Caravan has a 7 Pin Plug and the wiring is as per standard of the time (1978) then it should have Pin 2 connected to the 12v Light system of the Caravan.
Check both Car Socket and Caravan Plug to see if Pin 2 has a wire terminated, If Caravan has a wire Terminated it most likely be connected to the 12v Lights.
Quick Test using a Test Lamp Connect one side of test lamp to Car Chassis and the other side to pin 2, the put Car in reverse with ignition on and the
Cars Reversing lights a will glow and the Test lamp will Glow, Then the reversing lights are extended to the 7 pin tailer connector.
If the Test lamp Glows then connect the Caravan and then switch the 12v light/s using the 12v switch on the switch plates
if they Glow then the 12v Light circuit is connected to Pin 2 of the 7 pin connector.
If this then works then either connect a Fused hot wire to the Battery to Pin 2 of the 7 Pin Connector or
Change the 7 Pin on the Car and Caravan to a 12 Pin Plug and Socket and use one of the Auxiliary pins in the 8-12 range of pins.
If you have no Wire on the Car Socket Pin 2 and a Wire on the Caravan plug pin 2 as a quick test strap pin and 6 and then
turn the tail lights on then test the interior light circuit using the tail light circuit
Unless you intend to connect reversing lights utilising pin 2 of the Car and Caravan is the cheapest.
If you want Brighter 12v lights Change to LED Lamp replacement lamps.
Rattles
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Post by Mustang on Sept 9, 2017 16:55:15 GMT 10
There are a couple of good reasons to have an in house battery, free camping vs parks.
A decent AGM battery will cost you upwards of $300/400 plus a charger plus other cabling & setup, then you might add a DC/DC charger so the car will charge the in house battery while travelling, enabling your fridge to run cool.
For us when parks charge anywhere between $40/70 a night the in house battery is a no brainer, we also travel with a Collie so free camping suits.
If you only use your van a few times a year then perhaps an extra battery is not worth the expense.
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Post by LGT on Sept 10, 2017 17:29:02 GMT 10
Day 24 and 25 I replaced three power points and checked all the switches. All look and work OK. I will connect to 240 tomorrow and also check the DC at the same time. The AC all works perfectly and I now realise that the DC requires special modifications to the car and the van. As I intend to use AC sites only at this stage I am not concerned. I will run the fridge on gas and TV on AC. I will use gas cooking mainly outside the van. I have ordered an omni directional antenna and side mounting bracket and most likely mount an 18.5 inch TV on the side of the robe with a multi directional mount which I have left over from the many TV installations in our homes over the past few years. I spent today polishing the outside of the van and am most pleased with the result. In addition I now have all windows and their locks working properly. I finally cleaned the windows inside and out and returned "Vintage Ramble" to her parking area covered for the first time with my Father's day gift from my family. We have booked our first brief sojourn to a Bribie Island park which looks very pleasant indeed. Curtains are about a week away. And the TV about the same.   |
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Post by LGT on Sept 10, 2017 17:45:06 GMT 10
Thanks to all who gave me the information I needed re 12vDC. As Rattele said and I am of the same mind we will spend most of our vanning trips to powered sites and not be too concerned re DC power. In any case the fridge will always be on gas and so will the cooking. As for lights I can always use a battery powered lamp. We can do without TV and I have yet to find a bottle of wine which requires power via AC or DC.
Cheers
LGT.
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Post by atefooterz on Sept 10, 2017 23:55:24 GMT 10
Most camping grounds have ample lighting around, and at the end of the day, after cooking etc... what is the need for virtual daylight? I scored 2 cone mushroom retro led lights from a woolies sale a few years ago & the 3AA batteries last approx 6 months, great for making a cuppa or a quick hunt for something. I get amazed at folks who have very poor night vision who make it worse by never allowing their iris to work, much in the same way modern obese bodies do not have to suffer heat or cold with excessive air con- heater usage.  |
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Post by 78466noM on Sept 11, 2017 9:19:58 GMT 10
your van looks absolutely stunning you have done an exceptional job on it.
Just for safety reasons you may want to have a safety switch put on the 240volt the electrician should be able to hide it in a cupboard if there is one close to the inlet mine has the aluminum frame and was a site van I am the first to register it though I think it has been though a few hands with dents and scrapes etc but the plastic grommets that the 240v wiring went though was very brittle with age so in a very small chance the worst did happen at least you will be protected to a big degree.
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Post by LGT on Sept 11, 2017 16:27:09 GMT 10
Hi, That is excellent
advice. I still can't believe that such a switch was never installed. I guess there must have been reliance on the park's safety switch further down the line.
I am very pleased with the final look which will be further improved by the plain but matching curtains. My daughter is sewing them for me. she is a very capable seamstress but I can't really rush her she may decide to charge me!
My next blog will be when the curtains are fitted.
cheers
LGT
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Post by Mustang on Sept 11, 2017 19:40:21 GMT 10
your van looks absolutely stunning you have done an exceptional job on it. Just for safety reasons you may want to have a safety switch put on the 240volt the electrician should be able to hide it in a cupboard if there is one close to the inlet mine has the aluminum frame and was a site van I am the first to register it though I think it has been though a few hands with dents and scrapes etc but the plastic grommets that the 240v wiring went though was very brittle with age so in a very small chance the worst did happen at least you will be protected to a big degree. Our old original power on/off switch was replaced with a RCD. (The original advice sheet is still in place after 40 years)  |
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Post by atefooterz on Sept 11, 2017 20:18:46 GMT 10
Hi, That is excellent advice. I still can't believe that such a switch was never installed. I guess there must have been reliance on the park's safety switch further down the line. I am very pleased with the final look which will be further improved by the plain but matching curtains. My daughter is sewing them for me. she is a very capable seamstress but I can't really rush her she may decide to charge me! My next blog will be when the curtains are fitted. cheers LGT I should try & find dates, but i am sure most parks would have had a hard ceramic fuse holder & a nail or coat hanger as fuse wire, right up till the mid to late 1980s My 75 Franklin is just hard wired from the external imput to the 2 way fridge and 3 dual pole plugs & light circuit. It looks original. Edit: i see that even in 2017 www.allianz.com.au/.../rcds-the-electrical-safety-switches-that-a-third-of-homes...There are no laws that require RCDs to be retrofitted in rental or sale properties in New South Wales, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ftw/Consumers/Product_and_service_safety/Electrical_safety.page3. Safety switches If you haven’t already done so, seriously consider installing an electrical safety switch. If you already have a safety switch, be sure to test it every three months and if it fails, have a licensed electrician check it. Also, if your house was built before 1977 it is unlikely to have an earth rod and you should seriously consider having one installed. |
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Post by Mustang on Sept 12, 2017 8:47:09 GMT 10
 Tasmania does not have compulsory safety switches.
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Post by tasmillard on Sept 14, 2017 8:02:31 GMT 10
Mustang, im not sure if that is right. In the two electrical inspections (for rego) for my caravans both required MCBRCBs to be installed as part of the requirements. However, IF the caravan was already registered way back, then yes there are not inspection checks to enforce the installation of MCBRCBs.
Cheers,
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Post by LGT on Sept 14, 2017 13:36:09 GMT 10
Hi Gentlemen,
When I registered my van it had not been registered for many years.The only addition they wanted was a fire extinguisher. There was no talk of electrics which I now believe there should be.
Cheers,
LGT
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Post by tasmillard on Sept 14, 2017 13:45:21 GMT 10
Interesting, I would check anyway as they do earth leak checks and also check every power point and switch. Forgot to also mention, that on my Viscount, I had 2 electric outlets that did not have a on/off switch, but just a light to indicate a connection. This was used for the fridge where presumably you never needed to turn it off. Anyway, the electrician had to replace both of these with modern switches as he said did not comply with todays standards. When I mentioned it was a late 60's van, if ADR applied, he said not for electrics.
Funny enough, the same applied when I tried to get the old Chef oven installed, the gas fitter said didnt comply as it didnt have the flame out safety.
Cheers,
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Tasmania does not have compulsory safety switches.